Clock(s) as a seismic wave receiver

ABSTRACT

A machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals that comprises a spring loaded balance wheel that is in reality an oscillating seismometer, the oscillating seismometer employed as a local oscillator in a seismic wave receiver, a clock together with its balance wheel make up the seismic wave receiver which detect the precursory micro-seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake, extreme sensitivity—UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD WIDE—is accomplished by the immense storage capacity of the clock, for each individual swing of the balance wheel, a miniscule interruption takes place that will go unnoticed but after tens of thousands of swings, which would take place over night for example, a buildup of these interruptions will eventually have their effect.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

In regards to prior technology reference is made to the paper titled “Earthquake” in the December 2005 issue of the IEEE Spectrum written by Tom Bleier and Friedmann Freund

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of seismology and more specifically to a machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals.

The advantages over the existing technologies are:

Extreme sensitivity UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD WIDE!!!

A very simple and inexpensive but very effective device that is capable of providing a warning signal well in advance of a large magnitude earthquake.

Precursory signals as long as 30 days in advance of an earthquake magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale have been recorded; a 2 to 4 week warning period is a normal occurrence!

The sensitivity of not only detecting local precursors but also detecting distant precursors throughout the world!

The utility of this device would normally eliminate complex bore hole mounting techniques

A quiet remote location is normally not required since this device is not affected by local transient noise from factories, freeways, airplanes etc.

Still yet another advantage of the invention is mounting on the wall or simply placing on a firm sturdy shelf is sufficient to obtain significant data.

Expensive chart recorders could be eliminated since simply logging daily readings would suffice.

A fleet of mobile labs (in motor homes, mobile trailers, etc) equipped with these detectors could rapidly be dispatched to areas of immediate interest of pending earthquakes (It was while residing in my motor home that this discovery was made.)

The preceding is accomplished in the following manner:

Attention is drawn to the fact that the basic unit in a seismometer is the pendulum and when an earthquake is detected the earth rotates, as it were, around the pendulum while the pendulum remains motionless. However, what happens if the pendulum itself is in motion as in a clock for example where its rhythmic oscillations regulate the clocks time keeping? Well, essentially nothing happens when the quake strikes but something does happen before it strikes!!! Micro-seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake interrupt the rhythmic oscillations of the pendulum and thereby affect the clocks time keeping!!!

More over having observed these readings for the past fourteen years on more than three hundred clocks (see lab equipment FIGS. 1, 2, 3) reveal that these precursory micro-seismic vibrations (in the frequency range of 1 to 10 Hz) are a continuous wave signal that last for days, weeks and months depending on the magnitude of the earthquake that follows; the greater the magnitude the longer the warning period.

A further clarification will be realized from the foregoing analogy:

A clock with a balance wheel that replaced the pendulum in most clocks is employed and for the purpose of this analogy, let us call the balance wheel an “Oscillating Seismometer” (which in reality it is) and the clock together with the balance wheel a “Seismic Wave Receiver”.

The clock, as a “Seismic Wave Receiver”, is analogous to a “Radio Receiver”; The balance wheel as an “Oscillating Seismometer” acts as the “local oscillator”; The micro seismic vibrations from the precursory signal resonate with the oscillations of the balance wheel thereby interrupting its natural rhythm; the dock is the “detector” and “amplifier”; Detection of an earthquake precursory signal is noted by a sudden increase or loss of typically plus or minus five minutes or more over night.

Now extreme sensitivity (UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD MEM) is derived by means of the immense storage capacity of the clock. For each individual swing of the balance wheel, a miniscule interruption takes place that will go unnoticed but after tens of thousands of swings (which would take place over night for example) a buildup of these interruptions will eventually have their effect.

The discovery of this phenomenon was made while residing at the epicenter, Reseda, Calif., at the time of the Northridge Earthquake of Jan. 17, 1994. My favorite key wind eight day wall clock, which keeps accurate time to within plus or minus two or three minutes per week,—suddenly—began losing approximately five minutes each du which disturbed me and I was at a loss as to why this was happening. Then approximately two weeks later the 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck (which frightened me to the point that I thought it was going to be the end of the world); and then after several weeks of aftershocks had eventually subsided my clock returned to its normal time keeping!!!

But then after another several weeks my clock began losing time again (which threw me into a panic) and sure enough another series of (to my relief) smaller aftershocks erupted four days later.

This prompted me to set up experiments with more than 300 clocks over the following fourteen years in which many aftershocks as well as many other distant large magnitude quakes throughout the world have and are still being detected.

Prior Technology

In regards to prior technology reference is made to the paper titled “Earthquake” in the December 2005 issue of the IEEE Spectrum written by Tom Bleier and Friedmann Freund, it was interesting to note that the approximately two week warning period prior to the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake of 7.1 magnitude is similar to the approximate two week warning I received prior to the 6.7 magnitude Northridge Earthquake in 1994 and it appears we were monitoring the same frequency range of approximately 1 to 10 Hz and our sensors were located near the immediate area of impact, but that is where the similarity ends. My system differs in the following manner:

The sensor employed to detect the oncoming Loma Prieta Earthquake was a “magnetometer”.

The sensor witnessed by me which detected the pending Northridge Quake is, unlike any other sensor ever devised, an “oscillating seismometer” (spring loaded balance wheel) together with the remaining parts of the clock that make up a “seismic wave receiver”.

Advantages over the existing technologies are:

Extreme sensitivity—UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD WIDE!!!

A continuous detection of not only the main Northridge eruption but of the many aftershocks that followed; and a continuous and ongoing detection of many distant precursors from around the globe!!!

A very simple and inexpensive but very effective device that is capable of providing a warning period well in advance of a large magnitude earthquake.

The utility of this device would essentially eliminate complex bore hole mounting techniques in most cases.

A quiet remote location is unnecessary since clocks are generally not affected by local transient noise from factories, freeways, airplanes etc.

Mounting on the wall or simply placing on a firm sturdy shelf is sufficient to obtain significant data.

Expensive chart recorders could be eliminated since simply logging daily readings would suffice.

A fleet of mobile labs (in motor homes, mobile trailers, etc) equipped with these detectors could rapidly be dispatched to areas of immediate interest of pending earthquakes (It was while residing in my motor home that this discovery was made.)

This will also greatly facilitate exploring for oil, coal and other underground minerals, objects, etc.!!!

Potential—An oscillating seismometer concept is a momentous break through that signals a new technological transition which will lead to the exploration and discoveries in here-to-for unimaginable areas of research.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals comprising: A spring loaded balance wheel that is in reality an oscillating seismometer, the oscillating seismometer employed as a local oscillator in a seismic wave receiver, a clock together with the balance wheel make up the seismic wave receiver which detect the earthquake precursory micro seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the “Balance Wheel” clock regulator.

FIG. 5 is a perspective photo of the “Balance Wheel” clock regulator taken from a forty eight hour key wind Alarm Clock.

FIG. 6 is a perspective photo of a clock employed as a Seismic Wave Receiver.

Note: Neither the balance wheel nor any part of this clock have been modified or altered in any way. This is my old favorite clock which detected the 6.7 magnitude Northridge Earthquake in Jan. 17, 1994. This clock is an eight day four jewel key wind clock manufactured by the SMITHS Company in England.

FIG. 7 shows a photo of me and my favorite clock as it was mounted in my motor home at the time of the discovery when pre-detecting the Northridge Earthquake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

This invention relates generally to the field of seismology and more specifically to a machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals. From the foregoing it will be seen how the above experience is possible:

It is to be noted that the basic unit in a seismometer is the pendulum and when an earthquake is detected the earth rotates, as it were, around the pendulum while the pendulum remains motionless. However, what happens if the pendulum itself is in motion as in a clock for example where its rhythmic oscillations regulate the clocks time keeping? Well, essentially nothing happens when the quake strikes but something does happen before it strikes! Precursory micro seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake interrupt the rhythmic oscillations of the pendulum and thereby effect the clocks time keeping!!!

Having observed these readings for the past fourteen years has revealed that the precursory micro seismic vibrations are a continuous wave signal that last for days, weeks and months depending on the magnitude of the earthquake that follows. The larger the quake magnitude the longer will be the warning period!

The means by which this comes about is explained in the analogy that follows: A clock with a balance wheel that replaced the pendulum in most clocks is employed. For the purpose of this analogy, let us call the balance wheel an oscillating seismometer and the clock together with the balance wheel a seismic wave receiver. The dock as a “Seismic Wave Receiver” is analogous to a “Radio Receiver”: The balance wheel is an oscillating seismometer that acts as the local oscillator. The seismic vibrations from the precursory signal resonate with the oscillations of the balance wheel thereby interrupting its natural rhythm. The clock is the detector and amplifier. Detection of an earthquake precursory signal is noted by a sudden increase or loss of typically plus or minus five minutes or more over night.

Now extreme sensitivity (UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD MEM) is derived by means of the immense stomas capacity of the clock. For each individual swing of the balance wheel, a miniscule interruption takes place that will go unnoticed but after tens of thousands of swings (which would take place over night for example) a buildup of these interruptions will eventually have their effect.

Moreover because of this extreme sensitivity, not only detecting local precursors but also, detecting distant precursors throughout the world is made possible.

This worldwide coverage is accomplished by the fact that micro seismic surface waves created by an earthquake are capable of reaching great distances. Now the question comes up, how do I know that I am detecting surface waves? I know this because of dispersion which makes it a requirement to adjust my clocks to a faster rate of speed in order to be able to detect distant precursors. It is this dispersion phenomenon that is common to surface waves.

The advantages over the existing technologies are:

Provide a warning period well in advance of a large magnitude earthquake.

Precursory signals as long as 30 days have been recorded in advance of a magnitude earthquake of 6.0 on the Richter scale; two to four weeks is very common.

Extreme sensitivity UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD WIDE.

The sensitivity of not only detecting local precursors but also detecting and identifying distant precursors throughout the world.

The utility of this device would essentially eliminate the requirement for complex bore hole mounting techniques in many if not most instances.

A quiet remote location is normally not required since clocks are not affected by local transient noise from factories, freeways, airplanes etc.

Still yet another object of the invention is mounting on the wall or simply setting on a firm shelf is sufficient to obtain significant data.

Expensive chart recorders could be eliminated since simply logging daily readings would suffice.

A fleet of mobile labs (in motor homes, mobile trailers, etc) equipped with these detectors could rapidly be dispatched to areas of immediate interest of pending earthquakes (It was while living in my motor home that this discovery was made.) (This could also greatly facilitate exploring for oil, coal and other underground minerals, objects, etc.)

Potential—An oscillating seismometer concept is a momentous break through that signals a new technological transition which will lead to the exploration and discoveries in here-to-for unimaginable areas of research.

Instructions on how to use, etc

In the practice of this discovery, one simply has to know how to tell time. Most mechanical clocks like the inexpensive alarm clocks sold at K-mart, Walmart, Target, etc. will do. I prefer 8 day clocks mainly because they do not require winding every day. It helps to remove the second hand that is in constant motion and consumes energy which, in some cases, appears to load the clock down and make it less sensitive to detecting earthquake precursory signals. It also helps to remove or disengage any extra bells, whistles, etc that are not part of the basic unit. My favorite dock, which is the most active of all my clocks in detecting precursors, did not come with a second hand or any extra bells, whistle, etc.

Now detecting precursors from a local earthquake normally requires a dock running on time and because of frequency dispersion as demonstrated below with the water drop illustration in FIG. 12 which shows that as the water rings travel outward the rings are closer together is similar to the epicenter of an earthquake resulting in surface waves which are affected in like manner as they travel outward from the epicenter indicating that the frequency required for detecting these outer seismic waves will have to be higher than they were at the center. For example if I had docks in and around the area of, say, New Guinea and I expected to detect local precursors in that area, the clocks would normally be set to run on time. However, if I wanted to detect precursors in and around the area of New Guinea from Southern California, I would have to set my clocks in California to operate in the vicinity of 30 to 40 minutes fast each day.

Now the question comes up how does one direct the clocks in order to detect precursors from distant earthquakes? It just so happens that this building where my lab is located is broadside to the region of New Guinea as you travel by the Great Circle Path so that many of my clocks have detected precursors from that area. The method of directing these sensors is similar to speaker placement or location for good base reproduction, in a corner or up against the wall, etc. I've used the corners of rooms as corner reflectors. A yard stick from each wall works well. Another method that has worked well for me is placing the clocks about ten feet in front of a brick or block wall. Here again the wall should be broadside to the area your trying to detect. You will have to experiment for best results. In my original discovery while detecting the Northridge Quake and all its aftershocks, there was a huge wall of an apartment complex approximately 30 to 40 feet behind me.

Now there is a very good possibility that if an earthquake with a magnitude in the area of 8.0 or greater strikes anywhere in the world, a precursory may be detected regardless of how the clock might be directed!

At the present time on this date May 12, 2008 as I'm writing. I'm awaiting the results of indications that occurred on May 6 on my favorite SMITHS clock and six Soviet clocks: (That's Practically all the docks I'm monitoring at the moment since I'm in the process of moving to Spokane).

This is the first time that most of my docks indicated on the very same day, especially on the same day as my SMITHS clock; the Soviet and SMITHS clocks are very different. I suspect a pending strong quake of 8.0 magnitude or greater but not in the usual area of focus of New Guinea due to the fact these indications lasted only one day on the Soviet clocks and only a two day indication on my SMITHS clock. A strong quake in the focal area would normally have resulted in a continuation of these indications for a week or more. This may even indicate a more local strong quake; perhaps Canada, USA, or Mexico; (California, Ventura County!!!!)???? (As most of my equipment is packed, I don't have any instruments focused on the local area of Ventura County.)

Several clocks will normally be required for detecting earthquake precursory signals because not all clocks provide the information you may be looking for. I discovered early on while detecting the Northridge quake and many of its aftershocks that some clocks detected warning signals from some areas and other docks detected warning signals from other areas and some detected from a lesser area while some detected from a greater area. I had one clock that detected from one certain area only and still other clocks that did not detect any of the then active aftershocks but possibly would have detected precursors from another area.

Southwestern California, because of its location on the Pacific Tectonic Plate, has a ring side seat, so to speak, for monitoring precursors from quakes that strike in the Southwest Pacific since of the many quakes in that area, a good percentage of them strike on the Pacific Plate side of that boundary which is essentially in the seismic neighborhood of Southwestern California. See FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a graph of daily clock readings indicating an abrupt slowing down of clock speed on Feb. 25, 2007-35 days prior to an 8.1 magnitude earthquake which struck the Solomon Islands on Apr. 1, 2007. The clock speed dropped from a gain of approximately 40 minutes per day down to approximately 4 to 10 minutes per day which lasted, almost uninterrupted due to the additional eruption of the Vanuatu 7.1 magnitude quake on March 24 and their many very large aftershocks, for a complete month beginning the 25th of February until the 25th of March. FIG. 10 displays the approximate east west Great Circle path from Camarillo and the estimated focal area from which this data was received.

The following graphs in FIG. 11 depict some of the areas that have been detected over the past fourteen years while observing data on more than three hundred clocks.

NOTE: Ample warning of several weeks, is normally, given for large magnitude earthquakes.

The greater the quake magnitude the longer the warning period provided.

Distant earthquakes in the Southwest Pacific produce a much longer warning period than do local quakes in California. This may vary depending on the type of clock.

Clocks that detect local precursors normally require a clock that runs on time. Because of dispersion, precursors from distant quakes require a faster clock; the further the distance the faster the clock required. Experimenting with each clock is essential

Japan located on the Eurasian Plate with a plate boundary of great depth that separates the Eurasian Plate and the Pacific Plate, is not easily detected from California.

The area from which most detections take place is in the Southwest Pacific for the following reasons:

-   -   This is a region that is impacted by frequent earthquakes,         reference FIG. 13. Many quakes in this area hit on the Pacific         Plate side of the plate boundary, of which the Southwestern part         of California is also located on. The building that I now         reside, in Camarillo, is broadside to the Southwest Pacific in         the area of New Guinea. In addition, there exists a long block         wall on the east side of this property.

Clocks of all sizes seem to work, wrist watches, pocket watches alarm clocks, wall clocks, etc.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals comprising: A spring loaded balance wheel that is in reality an oscillating seismometer; the oscillating seismometer employed as a local oscillator in a seismic wave receiver; a dock together with the balance wheel make up the seismic wave receiver which detect the earthquake precursory seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake; extreme sensitivity—UNMATCHED BY EFFORTS WORLD WIDE—is accomplished by the immense storage capacity of the clock; for each individual swing of the balance wheel, a miniscule interruption takes place that will go unnoticed but after tens of thousands of swings, which would take place over night for example, a buildup of these interruptions will eventually have their effect; the clock as the “Seismic Wave Receiver” is analogous to a radio receiver; the balance wheel as the oscillating seismometer that acts as the local oscillator; the seismic vibrations from the precursory signal resonate with the oscillations of the balance wheel thereby interrupting its natural rhythm; the clock is the detector and amplifier; and detection of the earthquake precursory signal is noted by a sudden increase or loss of typically plus or minus five minutes or more over night. 